Today's Feast of the Epiphany, commonly known as the Three Kings, emphasizes the fact that the salvation of man by God in Jesus Christ is addressed to all people of all ages. Yes it is true that this news came out of Israel becoming a reality in a stable in Bethlehem, in an obscure village of Judea. This is the way God prepared for his coming to earth, associating with the history and culture of Israel, His chosen people, the most susceptible to the voice of God. Its mission for the world today is emphasized in today’s first reading: "rise up on splendor, Jerusalem! Your light has come, the glory of the Lord shines upon you. … Nations shall walk by your light, and kings by your shining radiance." In reading this passage it was also foretold how men from the east, with rich gifts will come representing the most important kings and sages of the world. This is summed up in today’s Gospel message in the event of arrival of the Magi from the East, led by a star to the stable of Bethlehem, there to bow to, and thus pay homage to the true wisdom of God. Through the centuries we have come to call them kings, in fact they may have been wise men seeking the true purpose and meaning in life, the real sovereigns of knowledge, who know that with God should bind their lives. Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar, are seen in humility and devotion to worship wisdom associated with the plans of God, which demonstrated just how God became one with us in the person of Jesus. They came representing different races -- Casper is usually represented as a black man, Balthazar as on from Asia, the origin of the famous wisdom of the East (such as the Queen of Sheba) -- and Melchior all emphasizing the universality and breadth of this mission. Through this celebration the church reveals yet another aspect of Christmas in its universality, extending the salvation of all men in timelessness, that is, embracing the people of all times, including us today, the people the twenty-first century. Tomorrow, Monday, January 9th, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Baptism of the Lord which officially ends the Christmas season. Jesus is already at the age of 30 years, and is ready for his public service, his mission of proclaiming the good news of God's Kingdom. This is no simple mission. Thus, Jesus’ mission called for a special acknowledgment by the Father and anointing by the Holy Spirit, which becomes a reality today. The appearance of all the Divine Persons of the Trinity, confirmed the mission of Jesus Christ: the voice of God the Father from heaven acknowledging Jesus’ son-ship and redemptive mission, a dove, the sign of the Holy Spirit and Jesus himself receiving at the hands of his cousin, John the Baptist his baptism. In this baptism, Jesus is not just taking on a sign of conversion, but a whole new quality of salvation, namely, participation in the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ. Today let us also take time to remember our own baptism received the name of Jesus Christ. May God bless you! Fr. Richard